Louth County Council’s Local Authority Integration Team hosted a ‘LAIT Welcome’ event in Dundalk on Friday 17th May.
The event was held to introduce the team to all the local stakeholders and both the International Protection and Ukrainian centre managers as a group. It also featured a networking session to allow the stakeholders and centre managers to discuss important matters.
The Louth Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT) was set up by Louth County Council in November 2023. These teams are being set up in all 31 Local Authorities in Ireland. The Louth LAIT is available to provide on-going integration supports to people categorised in any of the following groups living in County Louth;
- International Protection (IP) applicants,
- Programme Refugees
- Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP)
- Those with Refugee, Subsidiary Protection, or Permission to Remain status.
The functions of the LAIT include; initial orientation to life in Ireland, support in acquiring English language proficiency, support in finding suitable employment,) support to access education and/or training, support for cultural, social and political participation and support in living with and/or overcoming identified vulnerabilities.
Over the last six months the team have met numerous groups, state agencies and accommodation providers. The ‘Welcome event’ was aimed at facilitating introductions between all of the stakeholders.
Joan Martin, Chief Executive, Louth County Council said: “The implementation of the Local Authority Integration Team in County Louth has been broadly welcomed, and the team must be commended for their work over the last six months as the lead coordinator for the integration of International Protection Applicants, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, and Programme Refugees.”
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